Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan Audiobook Review

Murder at the Flamingo
by Rachel McMillan

From Thomas Nelson, audiobook narration by Kristin James

This is my first book that I've read by Canadian author, Rachel McMillan. I was drawn into the story and really enjoyed the settings and the characters. Having visiting Boston during a college exploration trip for our daughter, it was fun to go back in time to 1930s era in Boston. I did get a couple of the characters mixed up and I reached out to Rachel to help clarify for me. Obviously if I'd been reading the book rather than listening this wouldn't have been an issue.

I was delighted to read where the hero has an Anxiety Disorder. Frankly, we don't get to read many stories that feature a flawed hero like Hamish. I was looking forward to hearing how God helped Hamish overcome. Was thinking this could even be a good bibliotherapy book. See my next comments.

The story reminded me very much of a clean reads novel from another author. I kept listening for the Christian fiction component, the spiritual arc. And I kept listening. It was an engaging story, the characterization was good, and I enjoyed Rachel's author voice. But I never did find the Christian fiction component or the spiritual arc. So at the end I felt rather flummoxed. This was a Thomas Nelson story and it read like a clean read story not a Christian fiction. I was disappointed. I do think the market is going in this direction and we're going to find this more often. So I'll be checking in future to make sure the time I invest time in a listen is for a CF story -- I do want that clear spiritual arc.

Here's what Rachel McMillan had to say about the Christian element. She has given me permission to quote her: "It's more thematic. It's infused in the mentions of Hunchback of Notre Dame. In the grace distributed by Nate to the North End community. In the loyalty and unconditional love of Hamish to Luca. My books don’t have overt Christian elements or frames. It is more implied in message and symbol."

Publisher's Summary
“Maybe it was time to land straight in the middle of the adventure....”

Hamish DeLuca has spent most of his life trying to hide the anxiety that appears at the most inopportune times - including during his first real court case as a new lawyer. Determined to rise above his father’s expectations, Hamish runs away to Boston where his cousin, Luca Valari, is opening a fashionable nightclub in Scollay Square. When he meets his cousin's “right hand man” Reggie, Hamish wonders if his dreams for a more normal life might be at hand.

Regina “Reggie” Van Buren, heir to a New Haven fortune, has fled fine china, small talk, and the man her parents expect her to marry. Determined to make a life as the self-sufficient city girl she’s seen in her favorite Jean Arthur and Katharine Hepburn pictures, Reggie runs away to Boston, where she finds an easy secretarial job with the suave Luca Valari. But as she and Hamish work together in Luca’s glittering world, they discover a darker side to the smashing Flamingo nightclub.

When a corpse is discovered at the Flamingo, Reggie and Hamish quickly learn there is a vast chasm between the haves and the have-nots in 1937 Boston - and that there’s an underworld that feeds on them both. As Hamish is forced to choose between his conscience and loyalty to his beloved cousin, the unlikely sleuthing duo work to expose a murder before the darkness destroys everything they’ve worked to build.

Giveaway: Box of books. Leave a comment to enter.

Novelist Amanda Barratt -- Coping With Anxiety

Novelist Amanda Barratt

Amanda, welcome to Overcoming With God.

Thanks so much for having me today! 

Would you tell us about the one of the most difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

While I absolutely love the word ‘overcome,’ it often carries the connotation of “over and done with.” So often, while we remain pilgrims in this broken world, our struggles are not overcome, as in “shelved,” but overcome day by day, moment by moment, through the tender constancy of our loving Savior. Such is the case with the struggle I’m sharing with you today. Anxiety is something I’ve experienced since my middle school years, and it’s something I still deal with to this day. About six years ago, I went through a period where my anxiety was HUGE. We’d recently moved into a new home, and within a few months of moving, I began to experience health issues—along with an increase in anxiety. This continued for over a year, but it was through this year, more than at any point in my life, that I began to seek and find Jesus like never before. While I believe the Lord didn’t cause my anxiety, He did use it to bring me closer to Him, and though it wasn’t a pleasant thing to experience, I can now look back on that period and see God intended it for good (Gen. 50:20.) The closer I became to Him, the less I focused on my fears, and the greater my trust grew in His power to calm my anxious heart. I remember being on an airplane traveling out of state, clutching the pocket Bible I use while traveling and just reading the Psalms and letting their truths sink within me. To this day, I still have days and weeks where I battle anxiety, but they occur less frequently, and when they do, I can trust that “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times? Psalm 91 is so precious to me, and last year I memorized it, so I can recall it, even when I don’t have a Bible. Jeremiah 29:11 is another, as is Isaiah 40:31.

What helped you get through or helped you cope with this difficulty? – Leaning close to God and spending time reading His Word. Also, being able to be raw and open during prayer, approaching His throne not as someone who has it all put together, but as a person who needs His help just to get through day to day. And realizing my limitations and not judging myself for them. People with anxiety always have things that trigger that emotion, and it’s helpful to put in place a coping process before actually being in a situation where you’re forced to confront a trigger. The support of my family was also an immeasurable blessing.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?  My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York, will release in large print hardcover format from Thorndike Press in 2018.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  My characters struggle with trusting God, and what that looks like in difficult situations. Both my hero and heroine go through incredible challenges, but it’s only through those struggles that they are able to go deeper with God. (I’d add more, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers.)

BIO: ECPA bestselling author Amanda Barratt, fell in love with writing in grade school when she wrote her first story – a spinoff of Jane Eyre. Now, Amanda writes inspirational historical romance, penning stories that transport readers to a variety of locales – from the sweeping coastline of Newport, Rhode Island, to the rugged landscape of Central Texas. Her novella, The Truest Heart, finaled in the 2017 FHL Reader’s Choice Awards.

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she lives in the woods of Michigan with her fabulous family, who kindly put up with the invisible people she calls characters.

These days, Amanda can be found reading way too many books, watching an eclectic mix of BBC dramas and romantic chick flicks, and trying to figure out a way to get on the first possible flight to England.

Social links:

Amanda’s website Her newsletter Follow her on Amazon

The My Heart Belongs series website                

Book Links: MHBi Niagara Falls on Amazon 
On Barnes & Noble

Question you’d like to ask readers: My novel is set in the beautiful locale of Niagara Falls. Have you ever visited there? If not, what vacation spot have you visited that you have fond memories of?

Giveaway: We're giving away a copy of this brand new novel from Barbour this week! Leave a response to Amanda's question to enter.

Overcoming Fear by Leslie L. McKee

Leslie L. McKee, Author & Editor

Overcoming Fear

Guest Post by Leslie L. McKee

Thanks so much for the invite, Carrie. I’m happy to be here.

In January 2016, I toyed with the idea of writing some devotionals about something I’m quite familiar with: worry — and learning to let go and let God. I chose some verses, but that was as far as it went … until September.

I received an email which I knew was God sent: the opportunity to be part of a devotional book on topics near and dear to my heart: stress, fear, worry … and letting go of them. I knew I needed to be a part of this, especially as the title was the same title I toyed with back in January. The problem was I had never written a devotional in my life. Sure, I have read many of them. I’ve written poetry since I was a child and book reviews for more years than I can count. I’m also an editor. This project, while exciting to consider, was totally outside of my comfort zone. However, I felt God telling me to take the leap of faith and just start writing. After all, I had a lifetime of experience to choose from, and I had numerous meaningful verses already chosen.

Since the focus of your blog is on overcoming with God, I decided to discuss the devotion I wrote based on a situation which really put my faith to the test. It was one of the scariest times I’ve ever faced in my life.

In February 2016, my husband underwent a major surgery. The procedure itself went well, but there were complications. His hospital stay grew from a proposed three days to ten. Our family does not live nearby, so I had to rely on virtual support. I’ve been a Christ follower for years, so I knew God was with us in that hospital, too. He showed up in many ways — phone calls, text messages, songs, the hospital staff, and even the birds in the hospital aviary. All of these things provided me with reminders that I didn’t need to stress or worry because God was watching over us.

Despite the events occurring around me, I could feel an unexpected sense of peace. In that hospital, I was able to follow the words of Lamentations 3:57, which states, “You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, ‘Do not fear!’” I made the choice to choose faith over fear and overcome with God’s help. Did it automatically stop all my worries and “what if” thoughts? No. But I was no longer succumbing to my fears.

Revelation 3:21 states, “…to him who overcomes…” The phrasing here comes from the Greek word nikao. God wants us to be — in fact, He calls us to be —hupernikaos, which means “more than overcomers.” The great news is that, no matter the circumstance, it is possible to overcome with God’s help.

I’m so honored to have my devotions included in Just Breathe 

Bio: Leslie L. McKee is a professional editor and proofreader. Her editing career began as a reviewer for RT Bookreviews Magazine, where she still reviews books of various genres. She also reviews for Publishers Weekly. Books have always been a significant part of her life. She has been professionally editing and proofreading manuscripts for authors and publishing houses since 2012. Leslie’s lifelong love of reading and learning, in addition to reviewing and teaching, led her into the publishing industry. Editing and reviewing are not merely jobs. They are her passions. Leslie is an avid reader with an eye for detail, making her a perfect match for this career. 

Leslie is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and has served as a judge for their First Impression, Carol Awards, and Genesis contests. She is also a member of The Christian PEN.  Some of her devotionals were recently accepted by Ellie Claire to be part of a compilation which will be released in July 2017.

In her spare time, Leslie enjoys reading, playing piano, crocheting, spending time with family and friends (and her turtle!), and rooting for the NY Giants. 

You can find out more about her editorial and proofreading services on her website: (www.lmckeeediting.wixsite.com/lmckeeediting ). You can also find her on her blog (www.lmckeeediting.blogspot.com ) or on Twitter (@lmckeeediting).

Giveaway: We're giving away a copy of Just Breathe to a reader who is willing to read and review this new devotional book (USA only.) If you don't have a blog but would like to share your review with the OWG blog, please indicate that as well. 

Rachel Hauck Interview -- Overcoming Anxiety

Author Rachel Hauck

Rachel, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

Thanks for having me.

Would you tell us about the one of the most difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?   

When I first moved to central Florida after college for my first “career” job, a doctor prescribed hormones to correct an issue I was having. Oh boy… I thought I was going crazy. I was hit with anxiety and panic, fear, and once I quit taking the prescription, I still battled the emotions. I had to travel for my job and getting on a plane was a fight sometimes. I felt claustrophobic and all kinds of not-so-fun emotions. But, I got on the plane anyway. I knew giving in would only strengthen “the enemy.” It was a difficult at times but also a season of drawing near to the Lord, changing, growing, excelling in my faith and in my relationship with Jesus. I KNOW prayer works. I KNOW the Word is living and active.

The good news is His peace and confidence replaced all the negative emotions. 

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times?

Many verses guided me through this times. 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.”

1 John 4:18 - “Perfect love cast out all fear.”

1 Peter 5:6 - “Cast your cares up on Him because He cares for you.”

Phil 4:6-8 “Be anxious for nothing….”

And probably almost ever Psalm. The Bible is RICH with power and words for our deepest fears and emotions. 

What helped you get through or helped you cope with this difficulty?

Prayer. Really. It was a season of prayer and worship, of being in fellowship with people who loved Jesus.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 

Yes, all of my latest releases are available in audio as well as large print!

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation? 

?? Not sure what this means exactly. ;) 

CFP: See my review on Thursday and also look up top for our definition of bibliotherapy.

Question you’d like to ask readers:

I love to hear from readers! What makes you stick with an author for every book?

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR WRITING!!!

RH: Thank you for having me. God bless you all!!

GIVEAWAY: We're giving away a paperback copy, this week, of Rachel Hauck's wonderful novel, "The Wedding Chapel." Answer this question -- what helps you cope when you get fearful?